Minutes of Wadhurst Parish Council’s Planning Committee
Meeting held on Saturday 12 April 2008
Present : Cllrs. Bell, Berger (Chairman) Kent, Mamlok, Mrs A Monaghan, Standley, Ms H Whatmore
Also in attendance: District Cllr. Wells
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WD/2008/0900/F  The Lodge, Church Street
New indoor swimming pool and new covered parking. Removal of the garden wall between courtyard and kitchen garden. Refurbishment and improvements to the main house. Refurbishment and improvements to the coachhouse. Replacing the existing courtyard wall at the main courtyard entrance by the new courtyard wall.
We support this application.

WD/2008/0789/F  Little Strood, Wadhurst Road, Mark Cross
Proposed rear extension. New open porch and internal alterations.
We support this application.

WD/2008/0742/LB
Jean Marie, High Street
Existing roof tiles to be removed, rafters to be inspected and treated as necessary. Insulation to be installed between rafters, felt and battens to be affixed and tiles to be replaced. Weatherboarding on eastern elevation to be removed and renewed as  necessary. Exterior woodwork to be repaired as necessary.
We support this application but point out that there is a discrepancy in the supporting documentation in that the applicant is shown as the freeholder but not the owner. Presumably the owner’s permission should be obtained before commencing this work.

WD/2008/0747/F  32 Queens Cottages
Proposed single storey extension to front of property
We object to this proposal on the grounds that it would adversely affect the balance of the terrace and also conflicts with the Wealden Design Guide 10(4) in terms of the street scene.

WD/2008/0701/MAJ  Wadhurst Conference Centre, Station Road.
Demolition of the existing conference centre and erection of a new nursing home and dementia unit.
We support the principle of a nursing home on this site but are concerned about the adequacy of the existing sewage and surface water systems to serve the proposed 89 patients and 25 employees.

It is noted that it is claimed that the proposal is for a distinctive building drawing on the local vernacular, but it is considered that its architectural merits are questionable, especially in view of its proportions, and that an opportunity has been lost to achieve a more aesthetically satisfying building worthy of this site.

If the District Council is minded to approve the application it is hoped that it would be subject to the incorporation of as many sustainable features as possible

WD/2008/0774/F  Broadwell Cottage, Sleepers Stile Road
Single storey extension to side of dwelling
No objection

WD/2008/0680/F  Ashlea, Stone Cross Road
Erection of rear conservatory
No objection

WD/2008/0765/F  Courts 1 and 2, Wadhurst Tennis Club, Sparrows Green Recreation Ground, Southview Road, Sparrows Green.
Erection of 15 static columns with attached floodlights alongside court Nos. 1 and 2 only
We support local residents’ objections to this proposal on the following grounds :-
1.  The site is in an AONB outside the development boundary and therefore is contrary to policies      S1, S10, EN1, EN2,  & EN3 of the East Sussex & Brighton & Hove Structure Plan 1991- 2011 a nd policies GD2, EN1, EN2, EN6, & EN29 of the Wealden Local Plan.

2.  The proposal would have an unacceptable impact on the residential amenities of neighbouring  properties by light pollution, and the light spill, glow, and glare would have an adverse  effect o n the surrounding countryside.
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B S D Berger  Chairman  13 April 2008.